Indian Summers: UK TV Show Cancelled; No Season Three

by Cindy McLennan, May 5, 2016

(L-R) Jemima West as Alice Whelan and Henry Lloyd-Hughes as Ralph Whelan. (C) New Pictures and Channel 4 for MASTERPIECE in association with All3Media International.

UK Channel 4 has cancelled the Indian Summers TV show after two seasons. A British drama set in Simla (Shimla) in northern India, the first season of Indian Summers aired on PBS in the US, from September to November 2015. PBS has not yet announced the premiere date for the second and final season of Indian Summers. It is expected to air stateside in 2016, though. Masterpiece PBS co-produces the series, and PBS released a season two preview, back in December.

Radio Times confirmed the Indian Summers cancellation with Channel 4. Here is more:

Much like the British Empire itself, Indian Summers has retreated into history. Channel 4 has confirmed that the period drama, set during the British Raj, will not be returning for a third series.

“We’re incredibly proud of Indian Summers and have loved having it in the schedule, the channel said in a statement. “But with a number of new drama launches already confirmed for 2017, we have decided not to commission a third series.”

Here is more on the Indian Summers TV series, from a 2014 PBS press release announcing the series.

Set against the sweeping grandeur of the Himalayas and tea plantations of Northern India, the drama tells the rich and explosive story of the decline of the British Empire and the birth of modern India, from both sides of the experience. But at the heart of the story lie the implications and rami cations of the tangled web of passions, rivalries and clashes that de ne the lives of those brought together in this summer which will change everything.

It’s the summer of 1932. India dreams of Independence, but the British are clinging to power. In the foothills of the Himalayas stands Simla, a little England where every summer the British power-brokers of this nation are posted to govern during the summer months.

Ralph Whelan (Lloyd-Hughes), coolly ambitious, a coming man and tipped for promotion, is Private Secretary to the Viceroy of India. His sister, Alice (West), returns to Simla alone with her child and nds herself drawn to Aafrin (Patel), a Junior Clerk in the Viceroy’s of ce and son to Roshana (Dubey) and Darius (Seth), a gentle man and veteran of The Great War. Aafrin is brother to Sooni (Kala), severe and beautiful, and his spoilt younger sister Shamshad.

At the heart of Simla’s society is Cynthia (Walters), widowed doyenne of the Royal Club who is as at home in the tack room as she is the ballroom. A force to be reckoned with, her in uence spreads throughout the community.

The cast of characters also includes Douglas (Parkinson), who runs a missionary school, his wife Sarah (Glascott) who yearns for the comforts of home, Ian McLeod (Cobb), the young and naïve Scottish tea plantation heir, and the mysterious Anglo-Indian woman Leena (Revah).

As Indian Summers begins, the stories of promises, secrets, politics, power, sex and love play out as the British Raj begins to falter and a nation opens its eyes to the possibilities of freedom.

What do you think? Are you a fan of the Indian Summers TV show on Channel 4 and PBS? Do you think Indian Summers was cancelled at the right time, or should it have been renewed for a third season?

Indian Summer was an amazing 2 seasons, although the storyline was harsh, perhaps true, at times it was not pleasant to watch, I enjoyed rewatching serveral shows, the tough twisted ones, I fast forwarded through. I still wanted to know more about this historical saga! I would have continued to watch!

Very disappointed that Indian Summers will not have a Season 3, 4, 5, 6, …. A wonderful new setting in place & time for this delicious story!! Several situations were wrapped up in the last episode, but there is so much more to tell about the future years of India & this cast. Paul Rutman gave us many surprises, mystery, intrigue, humor, & clever characters and conversations. He would definitely have my attention for many more seasons. PBS, please reconsider & give Indian Summers fans the additional episodes we deserve!!

This is a funny show. Ridiculous actually. Palm trees and tea gardens in Simla (which is in the Himalayas). Thankfully, no beaches there (yet). Natives who can’t speak their own language with the proper accent, people wearing totally inappropriate clothes for the times, the region or their socio-economic situation…..
Provides a great laugh. We watch for the entertainment value.

Shame you canceled, just when the ‘natives’ bested the Brits and were about to kick them out of country later in ’47. But seriously, would have loved to know how the cast of characters lived through the turbulent times ahead….there were great story lines to explore. Great fun to watch, compelling drama…

Please renew this truly masterpiece series! Such beautiful filming, great characters, story and stellar acting all the way…. the best of the best on PBS! I don’t understand how such a wonderful work could be cancelled. I’m still mourning the loss.